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a. Character and aesthetics. <br />1. Trees help buffer different or conflicting land uses for the by establishing visual <br />screening and buffering noise, glare and heat abatement in trans-i i-onal zones; <br />2. Trees conserve and enhance the city's quality of life and ecological and aesthetic <br />environment, especially its valuable and rural atmosphere; and <br />3. Trees provide important psychological benefits to the persons people within the <br />city and neighborhoods. <br />b. Wildlife habitat. Trees are essential to maintain wildlife habitat within the city. <br />c. Energy conservation. Trees assist in the moderation of climate by providing shade, <br />windbreaks, and the cooling of air; thereby reducing the requirements for air <br />conditioning and heating and the subsequent utilization of energy resources. <br />d. Improved Air and water quality. <br />1. Trees aid in the filtering of stormwater as it passes through the soil to the <br />groundwater; <br />2. Trees maintain permeable land areas essential to surface water management <br />and aquifer recharge; and <br />3. Trees aid in the purification of the air through the removal of carbon dioxide, <br />the generation of oxygen, and the precipitation of dust and other airborne <br />pollutants. <br />e. Socioeconomic. <br />f. <br />g. <br />Trees enhance property values; and <br />2. Trees protect and preserve the unique identity and environment of the city and <br />aid in the development of the economic base attracted to the city by such <br />factors. <br />Erosion and flood control. <br />1. Trees aid in the stabilization of soil by the prevention of erosion and <br />sedimentation; and <br />2. Trees reduce stormwater runoff and the costs associated therewith and aid in <br />the replenishment of groundwater supplies. <br />Privacy and buffering. Preservation of existing trees helps maintain privacy and <br />establishes a buffer between conflicting uses or varying residential densities. <br />1. <br />(c) Creation of the Ramsey Trcc Boole. The intent is to provide a set of landscape design and maintenance <br />principles that promote thc use of appropriate plant materials, which do not require special attention <br />and which require little suppleental water to grow properly. <br />{1) Thc Ramey Trcc Book will bc available for reference and guidelines regarding principles for tree <br />preservation in the city. Thc book is to bc offered, upon request, to thc citizens of thc city as well <br />as thc development community and other interested parties. Copics will bc available at city hall. <br />{-2) Thc Ramsey Tree Bookwill also include lists of desirable and und-esirabletrees, shrubs, and natural <br />vegetation for the-ei-ty. The -Ramsey Trcc Book shall maintain an extensive list of recommended <br />vegetation for planting. The intent is to maintain diversity in the -total tree-populatiewwithin the <br />city. Thc list of recommended species shall be updated periodically to reflect new developments <br />or species that will affect the population of thc community forest. <br />(C) Administration. <br />(1) The city shall administer and enforce the provisions of this division. The city is authorized to <br />cause inspections on a scheduled basis when reason exists to believe that a violation of this <br />division has been or is being committed. <br />(2) When the city determines a violation has occurred, the city's written evaluation of the <br />deficiencies shall be considered prima facie evidence in any subsequent litigation <br />Page 45 of 160 <br />